FAA Mistakenly Released A Draft Internal Report
During NTSB Investigation

January 6, 2015 - The NTSB has found that the
Federal Aviation Administration mistakenly
released investigative information, an error
that violated NTSB regulations and party process
in their investigation of a March 13, 2014,
airplane accident in
Philadelphia.

On March 13, 2013, at about 6:30 PM, US Airways
Flight 1702, an Airbus A320, N113UW, experienced
a nose gear collapse and other damage after
aborting the takeoff on runway 27L at
Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL),
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The airplane came to rest on the edge of the
runway, and the passengers exited the aircraft
via the emergency slides. There were no injuries
to the passengers and crew members and the
airplane was substantially damaged. The flight
was to operate between
Philadelphia
and Hollywood
InternationalAirport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

NTSB reports the accident, involving a US
Airways passenger jet, is currently under
investigation by the NTSB. Recently, the FAA,
which is a party to the investigation,
mistakenly released preliminary information
about the accident under the Freedom of
Information Act.

The NTSB reported that it depends upon full
participation and technical assistance by the
parties in their accident investigations – in
this case, the FAA, the airline, and the pilots’
association "in order to ensure that our
investigations are objective, rigorous, and
complete. Allowing any party to release
investigative information without approval may
enable that party to influence the public
perception of the investigation, and undercut
the fairness of the process."

The NTSB reported that it requires that any
release of information related to an ongoing
accident investigation be coordinated and
approved by the NTSB prior to its release. When
the investigation is complete, these
restrictions no longer apply. Because this
investigation is not yet complete, the FAA was
required, but failed, to notify and seek the
necessary approval from the NTSB prior to
releasing their draft report.

The NTSB has shared its strong concern about this matter
with the FAA. As a result, the FAA is reviewing this
case to see how the disclosure of information occurred
and will review its policies and procedures to ensure
that information from accident investigations is
properly protected.